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 Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Women usually grow a single egg in a month. In order to maximize the number of eggs for in vitro fertilization, the patient takes medication that can be utilized alone or in combination to induce several follicles to develop. Egg development is monitored by ultrasound imaging of the ovaries and by monitoring of blood hormone levels. When the follicles reach a satisfactory size, you will receive an injection of human chronic gonadotropin (HCG) in the evening or early morning. This initiates the final phase of egg development in preparation for egg retrieval. The decision of when you receive the HCG is based on follicle size and the time that the retrieval will occur (usually 34-36 hours following the injection). We recommend limiting very strenuous activity and exercise during this phase, as the ovaries are maximally stimulated. Strenuous activity could result in rupture of the follicles or twisting of the ovaries. You will receive other pre-operative instructions at this time.
Egg retrieval from your ovaries takes place between 34 to 36 hours after the HCG injection. This timing is critical. It is the time the egg matures, just before ovulation. The ultrasound guided aspiration is usually performed in the office with intravenous sedation. For the procedure, an IV is started in the arm and medication given to induce sedation, minimize discomfort and to prevent nausea. A needle is introduced through the vagina into the ovaries and the eggs are aspirated. The follicle aspiration sometimes causes mild discomfort. Antibiotics are given through the IV when retrieval is completed, then the IV is removed. The patient spends up to an hour in our recovery room, then may go home. The IV site and vein used may become tender and hardened. If there is concern, please notify the doctor. Following this procedure, you may have a small amount of spotting or bleeding, neither of which are serious. If there is increasing abdominal discomfort and/or fever, you should notify the office immediately. Complications to the bowel, blood vessels and bladder are rare with ultrasound-guided aspiration of eggs. Our patients undergo the egg harvesting procedure in our office under local anesthesia and IV sedation. Not only is this environment more comforting and convenient, there is the added benefit of not incurring hospital fees.
www.infertility-azctr.com
5190 E. Farness Drive #114 Tucson, Arizona 85712
(520) 326-0001
Reproductive Health Center
A couple may be diagnosed as infertile after having tried for six months to a year to conceive a child without success. With age playing a significant role in a couples' ability to conceive, and with a growing number of Americans waiting until later in life to have children, the incidence of infertility has begun to rise. Infertility currently affects nearly 20 percent of all couples in America, and may be attributable to the man, woman, or both. As an Assisted Reproductive Technology, in vitro fertilization has proven quite successful for patients at our Tucson clinic.
In vitro fertilization was successfully performed for the first time in the United States in 1981. Since then, it has become a proven alternative in reproductive medicine. In
simplest terms, in vitro fertilization is the process of fertilizing a woman's egg outside of her body in a laboratory. Once fertilization occurs, the newly formed embryo is
placed inside the mother's uterus and allowed to follow its natural course to maturation.
IVF at our Tucson clinic begins with ovulation induction. Fertility drugs (typically hormones) are prescribed to the woman to stimulate the production of several eggs in her ovaries. Ultrasound is used to monitor the eggs as they develop while hormone levels are checked through blood or urine samples. After about 10 to 12 days, the eggs are ready to be removed from the woman. Immature eggs develop within fluid-filled sacs, called egg follicles, which are present within a woman's ovaries.
Hormones influence the development of the follicles. The strongest follicle will eventually release an egg to be fertilized. The IVF procedure, performed at our clinic treating patients from Yuma and other Arizona communities, depends on more than one mature egg. Using a method known as follicular aspiration, the physician guides a thin needle through the woman's vagina and into the ovary. Suction is used to retrieve viable follicles in order that multiple eggs can be fertilized. The process is non-invasive, and is performed with mild sedation and a local anesthetic. While the procedure is not entirely painless, the discomfort is often compared to that of menstrual cramping or abdominal tenderness.
www.ivftucson.com
Scot M. Hutchison, MD
4518 E. Camp Lowell Dr.
Tucson, AZ 85712
ph. 866-906-7761
fx. 520-733-0771
Arizona Andrology Laboratory and CryoBank
Cryopreservation of semen, also known as freezing or banking, allows sperm to be preserved and stored at ultra-low temperatures for future fertility procedures. A complete semen analysis is performed to determine the quality of the specimen and the total number of motile sperm that are present. Based on the overall quality and number of motile sperm present, the semen sample is then mixed with specific volumes of media and preservant and divided into a calculated number of vials. These vials are then slowly cooled down to extremely low temperatures and stored in liquid nitrogen tanks.
Cryopreserved semen can remain viable for use for many decades, thus preserving the fertility potential of the patient for many years. The AALC sends out all serum
hormone testing to one of the top-of-the-line laboratories in Tucson to ensure the highest quality in test results and “turn around time” for results. This means you can have all your fertility work-up and testing done on a “one-stop” basis at our laboratory!
The Arizona Andrology Laboratory & Cryobank is committed to providing confidential, state-of-the-art male fertility testing and processing in a uniquely professional and
friendly atmosphere.
www.arizonaandrology.com
Gateway Wellness Center - 850 N. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ 85710
Phone: 520-885-2689 - Fax: 520-731-0715
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